In a world where food choices are influenced by countless voices online, partnership between agriculture organizations and influencers is essential. One standout example of this collaboration is the recent CropLife Canada agricultural research tour, which brought together a group of influential dietitians, agricultural organizations, and industry leaders for a hands-on learning experience in Alberta.
Why Collaboration Matters
Working with organizations like CropLife Canada offers unique benefits:
- Direct Engagement: Influencers, especially trusted professionals like dietitians, are positioned to answer questions from the public. By engaging them directly at events, they gain firsthand insights into the science, innovation, and people shaping Canadian agriculture.
- Combatting Misinformation: Food and farming myths abound online. Collaborative events provide evidence-based information to those who have large audiences, equipping them with tools to dispel myths.
- Championing Science and Sustainability: The voices of nutrition and health professionals are increasingly vital in discussions about sustainability and food security. When these voices are informed by researchers and industry leaders, they amplify truthful narratives.
Highlights from the CropLife Tour
- Immersive Experiences: Visits to the SMART Farm at Olds College, Bayer CropScience Research Farm, and the Agriculture Department of the University of Calgary opened doors to fields, labs, and smart agriculture projects. Influencers observed trials in crop resilience, gene editing, and sustainable farming up close.
- Expert Access: Attendees engaged with researchers like Dr. Shabeg Briar (Olds College), Dr. Cami Ryan (Bayer CropScience), and Dr. Marcus Samuel (University of Calgary), earning candid answers to key questions.
- Resource Sharing: The tour featured expertly curated resources, including science-based fact sheets on pesticides, GMOs, and plant breeding—many developed in partnership with leading dietitians. Such materials empower influencers to share accurate content in their spheres.
Building a Stronger Agricultural Narrative
This approach is more than a tour; it’s an investment in champions who:
- Foster dialogue between food producers, scientists, and consumers.
- Promote evidence-based conversations about food, farming, and public health.
- Bridge gaps between scientific innovation and consumer understanding.
By bringing together organizations like Canadian Food Focus and Farm & Food Care Ontario, CropLife Canada demonstrated that educating influencers is best done in partnership. It’s a model for building trust, empowering advocates, and ensuring Canadians have the knowledge needed to make informed food choices.
In short, the true benefit lies in working together—across sectors and specialties—to build a brighter, more transparent future for food and agriculture.
Dorothy Long
Home Economist and Managing Director, Canadian Food Focus
Dorothy Long is a passionate advocate for Canadian food and farming with over 25 years of experience connecting consumers to agriculture. A Saskatchewan farm girl turned home economist, Dorothy has developed national agrifood marketing campaigns, organized farm tours for food influencers, served as the Executive Director of Cuisine Canada and co-authored the Discover the Pulse Potential cookbook. As Managing Director of Canadian Food Focus, she leads efforts to improve food literacy and public trust in Canadian agriculture and food. In 2023, Dorothy was inducted into the Saskatchewan Agriculture Hall of Fame for her contributions to the industry.
Connecting Influencers with First-Hand Experiences